What Are the Histological Changes Due to ATP Loss?
The loss of ATP production leads to a cascade of cellular changes, often visible under a microscope:
1. Cell Swelling: Without ATP, the Na+/K+ pump fails, causing intracellular sodium accumulation and water influx. 2. Membrane Integrity Loss: ATP is crucial for maintaining phospholipid bilayer integrity. Its depletion can lead to membrane damage and leakage. 3. Mitochondrial Changes: Mitochondria may appear swollen or fragmented, with disrupted cristae. 4. Nuclear Changes: ATP loss can result in chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation, often leading to apoptosis or necrosis.
